RNA G-Quadruplex: The New Potential Targets for Therapy

Curr Top Med Chem. 2015;15(19):1947-56. doi: 10.2174/1568026615666150515145733.

Abstract

Roles of RNA on transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulations have raised more attention since the new era of genomics. One of the secondary structures of RNA, the RNA Gquadruplex structure, is demonstrated a relatively stable existence in human tumor cells, virus, or other species relating to diseases. G-quadruplexes are special secondary structures formed by G-rich DNA and RNA sequences that fold into a four-stranded conformation. The G-quadruplexes formed in RNA are involved in many biological process including telomere elongation, transcription regulate, pre-mRNA splicing and translation. In this review, we will give a brief introduction to the structures of RNA G-quadruplexes, the biological roles and the potential to be as drug targets.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • G-Quadruplexes / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • RNA / chemistry*
  • RNA / drug effects*
  • RNA / metabolism

Substances

  • RNA